Lewis' defense draws respect

Magic beat

That ought to change, because the Orlando Magic have made marked improvements with their team defense after his return on Nov. 16 from a 10-game suspension.

The Magic allowed opponents to score 100 points or more in the 10 games without Lewis. They've allowed 100 points or more just twice in the nine games with him in the lineup. Stan Van Gundy thinks Lewis' return has made a big difference.

"It's helped us immensely, a lot more than people give him credit for," Van Gundy said. "He's been in our system for a couple of years. He knows what's going on. He's a pretty quick-reacting guy, and he's just got more experience overall than [power forwards] Ryan [Anderson] and Brandon [Bass]."

Lewis provided one of the Magic's top defensive highlights this season Wednesday against the New York Knicks. He hustled back on a Knicks second-quarter fast break to block a layup attempt by Danilo Gallinari; Lewis swatted the ball, which ricocheted off the backboard.

"I think I'm a good team defender," Lewis said. "I'm great on rotating to other guys' men and knowing the scheme of the defense. I remember on that block Coach was screaming 'Get back!' because I was getting ready to go in for the offensive rebound."

Back by the Bay

Tonight's game against the Golden State Warriors is a homecoming for Van Gundy. He grew up in Martinez, Calif., which is about 20 miles northeast of Oakland.

Oracle Arena, the Warriors' home court, is located in the same complex as Oakland-Alameda County Stadium, where Van Gundy and his younger brother, Jeff, often attended Oakland A's baseball games as teenagers.

"I still enjoy going because it's one of the very few places I actually see friends and things like that," Van Gundy said. "So, I always see people I know, and that's good. When I first went back there as an assistant coach with the [Miami] Heat, walking into the Coliseum was huge for me. It was big."

Layups

Tonight also serves as a homecoming for SFs Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes, C Adonal Foyle and General Manager Otis Smith. Pietrus and Barnes used to play for the Warriors. So did Foyle, who is injured but said he would make the trip. Smith played for the Warriors and later worked in the team's front office.

C Dwight Howard said there's one essential piece of equipment he brings on cross-country flights: his iPod. "You don't have music on that plane, you're dead," Howard said. "That's a long ride."

Howard said the West Coast road trip will give Magic players an opportunity to bond.